Background
The authors examined potential benefits and difficulties in integrating oral health
care and medical care for adults with chronic conditions (CCs).
Methods
The authors used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2016 data to
estimate crude (age- and sex-standardized) and model-adjusted estimates to examine
the association between dental disease (severe tooth loss, untreated caries) and chronic
disease (≥ 3 CCs, fair or poor health) and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2014-2016
data to estimate crude estimates of past-year medical and dental use and financial
access according to CC status. Reported differences are significant at P < .05.
Results
National prevalences of reporting fair or poor health and 3 or more CCs were both
approximately 15%. Standardized prevalence of dental disease was notably higher among
adults reporting CCs than those not reporting. After controlling for covariates, the
magnitude of the association was substantially lower, although the association remained
significant. Adults with CCs were approximately 50% more likely to report having a
past-year medical visit and no dental visit than those not reporting CCs. Among adults
reporting CCs, prevalence of having no private dental insurance and low income was
approximately 20% and 60% higher, respectively, than that among adults not reporting
CCs.
Conclusions
Adults with CCs had higher prevalence of dental disease, past-year medical visit and
no dental visit, and limited financial access.
Practical Implications
Medical visits may be the only opportunity to provide dental education and referrals
to adults with CCs. Improved medical-dental integration could improve oral health
care access and oral health among these adults who are at higher risk of dental disease.
